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Heritage

Kilmalkedar Church

Ireland

8 story sections

Kilmalkedar is associated with Saint Brendan the Navigator. second Bishop of Ireland after Saint Patrick. Also with localy known Saint Maolcethair (Malkedar) who died in 636. Building which still stands there till now dates from 12th century. For 900 years old is in perfect state. Graveyard around is also ancient with real keltic stone sundial (still ticking)

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Orientation

    As we stand before the venerable ruins of Cill Mhaoilceadair, or Kilmalkedar Church, we are effectively stepping into a palimpsest of Irish religious history. This site, dating primarily to the 12th century, represents one of the…

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  2. 2The Romanesque Doorway

    We begin our detailed examination at the western doorway, the primary entrance to the nave. This portal is a textbook example of Romanesque design, characterized by its rounded arch and layered orders. …

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  3. 3The Ogham Stone and Ancient Literacy

    Directly within the church grounds, we encounter a remarkable Ogham stone, a pillar of history that predates the Romanesque structure. Ogham is the earliest known form of writing in Ireland, consisting of a series of notches and…

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  4. 4The Alphabet Stone

    Adjacent to the chancel, we find the so-called 'Alphabet Stone,' a fascinating artifact that highlights the scholarly nature of the Kilmalkedar monastic community. This stone features the Latin alphabet carved in a style that…

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  5. 5The Monastic Sun Dial

    Standing prominently in the graveyard is an ancient sun dial, an essential instrument for the regulation of monastic life. In the 12th century, the day was divided into 'canonical hours'—Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None,…

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  6. 6The Chancel Arch and Interior Nave

    Step now into the interior of the church. Though the roof is long gone, the structural integrity of the nave and chancel remains striking. …

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  7. 7The Heaven Window and Local Legend

    At the rear of the church, in the eastern wall of the chancel, is a small, narrow window that is the subject of a charming and enduring local legend. It is often referred to as the 'Window to Heaven.' According to tradition,…

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  8. 8Closing

    Our journey through Kilmalkedar Church concludes where it began, in the shadow of the great Brandon range. This site is more than just a collection of ruins; it is a portal into the soul of medieval Ireland. …

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What is Kilmalkedar Church?

Kilmalkedar Church is a place in Ireland with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationIreland
TypeHeritage
Story sections8
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates52.1642, -10.4134
Last updated

Nearby places

within a 5-minute walk
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